Grove 45

Grove 45 is a family-run olive oil producer based in Calistoga, Napa Valley, California. The operation is led by mother-daughter duo Ana and Marcela Hernandez, who originally hailing from Guatemala, returned to the Napa Valley in 2010 after purchasing a 73-acre ranch in St. Helena. The property contained a remarkable surprise: 5,000 Spanish and Italian olive trees planted 140 years ago by pioneering vintner Charles Krug, some so old that even UC Davis experts could not identify them without DNA analysis.

In 2019, Ana took over the original Grove 45 operation, which included 500 Italian olive trees in Chiles Valley in the eastern hills of Napa. Combined with the 300 trees harvested on their St. Helena ranch, the family now produces approximately 900 gallons of extra virgin olive oil organically, though not certified as such.

Harvests are carried out in late October and November and the fruit is cold-pressed at Chacewater Winery & Olive Oil Mill in Kelseyville, then packaged in sustainable recycled aluminium containers. They produce two oil varieties: Grove 45 (USD 42 for 500ml) from Chiles Valley olives, featuring aromas of tomato leaves with buttery texture and notes of green grass and citrus; and Special Selection (USD 50 for 500ml), a more limited production from the St. Helena orchard with an intense arubula pepperiness. Both retain high polyphenol levels and fresh flavours such as green plantain, herbaceous grass and a peppery finish.

The family also operates Museion Winery in Calistoga, producing Sauvignon Blanc and rosé under the guidance of consulting winemaker Philippe Melka. Their Calistoga tasting room, opened in 2024, offers unique olive-oil-centred experiences including Ana's olive oil cake, olive-oil-infused focaccia, and olive oil ice cream. The tasting room features hand-painted olive tree wallpaper and earth-tone furnishings made by Guatemalan women artisans.